Speaking to the folks over at TheDetroitBureau.com, the General Manager of Lexus, Mark Templin, said that the luxury brand is giving some serious thought to launching a new compact luxury model in the United States.

“There is a group of buyers growing up now who won’t buy cars by the pound,” said Templin. “We have already seen a structural shift” to the compact and more affordable models in the luxury market over the past couple of years.

He said that Lexus’ compact model, which will be based on the Lexus LF-Ch Concept that debuted in Frankfurt, “won’t necessarily be targeting the budget-constrained” luxury shopper.

“We’re not going to build a smaller vehicle with all that technology (found in the likes of a top-line LS sedan) and knock the price down,” the executive stressed. “Just because it’s small doesn’t mean cheap.”

So what will it take for Lexus to put the LF-Ch Concept into production? The concept will now make rounds at North American auto shows including the 2009 LA Auto Show next month and the 2010 Detroit Auto Show in January. Lexus said that it will measure the reaction to the hatchback and if it is positive, Templin said a production edition “potentially” will appear in Lexus dealerships by 2012 or earlier.

Lexus LF-Ch Concept:

- By: Kap Shah

Source: TheDetroitBureau

A couple months ago, Bugatti celebrated its centenary year with the debut of the Bugatti 16C Galibier Concept at its headquarters in Molsheim. Bugatti today presented the concept to a select group of customers and “opinion-makes” in Los Angeles at the prestigious Ace Gallery in Beverly Hills.

Bugatti’s Director of Sales, Marketing and After Sales, Alasdair Stewart, emphasized that the Galibier is just one of several concept studies that the company is considering for the future of the Bugatti marquee. However, we’ve heard reports that the car has already been green-lighted for production with a rumored launch date of 2013.

Power comes from a 8.0L W16 flex-fuel engine with twin-turbochargers. Bugatti has not confirmed the final horsepower figures but it says that the model will be the fastest sedan in the world when it is completed.

Update: YouTube is apparently down right now so we’ll have the video up shortly.

Make the jump for the updates high-res gallery and the video.

Bugatti 16C Galibier Concept:

Bugatti 16C Galibier Concept:

- By: Omar Rana

According to Saab’s Director of Global Operations Knut Simonsson, the Swedish automaker is working on a new concept car that will hint at a future small model for the brand.

“It’s going to be very important and will indicate what the Saab message is going to be,” Simonsson said.

The concept will make its debut within the next 12 months and will take Saab into a segment that it is not currently present in.  The model would fit below the 9-3.

Even after you see the concept within the next 12 months, don’t expect to see a compact Saab on the roads anytime soon. The company is still regrouping as it joins Koenigsegg and breaks away from General Motors. More important right now are the replacements for the 9-3 and the 9-5.

- By: Kap Shah

Source: Inside Line

This week at the 2009 SEMA Show, Chevrolet is showing off five new Camaro concepts, one which is a race-ready, twin-turbocharged V6 from Jay Leno and the one we’re interested in the most. As you can see from the pictures, the Jay Leno Camaro is one of the most radical looking Camaro concepts at SEMA this year – it almost makes us dream of a production Camaro Z28.

Power for Jay Leno’s Camaro comes from a twin-turbocharged version of the 3.6L V6 found in the Camaro LS and LT models. The Turbonetics T-3 turbochargers take horsepower up to 425. When the turbochargers aren’t being used, there is virtually no loss in the fuel-economy of the base 3.6L V6 engine.

“Jay’s Camaro offers style, performance and efficiency in a big way,” said Dewar. “It delivers the power of a Camaro SS on demand, but with the fuel economy of a V-6.”

Additional touches to Jay Leno’s Camaro include Brembo six-piston brake package, pedders coil-over lowering kit, new front fascia with custom fog lamps and integral brake cooling vents and air extractor-style hood.

Check out other Camaro’s being shown at SEMA in the press release posted after the jump.

The Jay Leno Chevrolet Camaro (2009 SEMA):

Press Release:

Camaro Extravaganza

November 03, 2009 – LAS VEGAS – Chevrolet unveiled five dramatic Camaro concepts at the annual automotive aftermarket extravaganza known as the SEMA Convention, each representing a different vision of style, personalization and performance.

The Camaro concept vehicles include:

* A race-ready, twin-turbocharged V-6 concept built for talk show host and auto enthusiast Jay Leno
* The Camaro Synergy concept that reveals a new, limited-production exterior color for spring 2010 and is accented with a number of production accessories and custom touches
* The Camaro Chroma, an SS-based concept with a number of future accessories
* The Camaro Dusk, which incorporates current and proposed accessories to create a contemporary tuner aesthetic
* Camaro Graphics, highlighting six proposed accessory graphics packages, with online voting by the public to gauge interest in potential future production of one or more of the packages.

“During the annual SEMA Convention, the popularity of a new car can be easily judged by the number of ‘tuner’ versions used by various companies to showcase their latest products; and the Camaro is our runaway hit this year, with countless examples displaying everything from mild styling accessories to wild performance modifications,” said Brent Dewar, vice president, Global Chevrolet Brand. “We’re thrilled by all the creative ideas, but especially proud of the cars we developed in-house. They represent modern interpretations of the Camaro that could easily be created by owners using the accessories offered by Chevrolet.”

Many of the Camaro accessories can be ordered through Chevy dealers for installation at the time of the vehicle’s purchase. This allows customers to personalize their cars to their exact wishes, with installation handled by the dealer and the cost rolled into the monthly payments.

Camaro Synergy:

The Camaro Synergy concept previews a new Synergy Green production exterior color that will be offered on a special-edition Camaro in the first half of 2010. It also features a host of the latest Camaro accessories offered through Chevy dealers. They dramatically enhance the performance appearance of the car, demonstrating the personalization possibilities open to Camaro owners. Designers took liberties with the accessories, creating a totally unique package. Details include:

* 21-inch wheels, with a black center finish and polished rim
* Ground effects kit
* Cyber Grey Rally hood stripes
* High wing rear spoiler (future accessory)
* Performance air intake

The ground effects include pronounced rocker moldings, a rear diffuser-type styling piece and a front spoiler. They, along with the rear wing spoiler and rally stripes, are finished in the production Cyber Grey color, although the ground effects and spoiler can be painted to match the exterior of the car. The Rally stripes are adhesive-backed and are offered in grey, black or white. They’re part of a broader range of heritage-inspired graphics that also include “hockey stick” stripes for the front fenders.

Chevy designers further enhanced the concept with a Pedders coil-over lowering kit and a set of large, Brembo brakes, as well as color-coordinating the Jet Black interior with Synergy Green accent stitching, piping and other accents. The lowering kit, brakes and interior accents are not among the accessories offered for the Camaro, but represent common and popular aftermarket upgrades. Chevrolet will gauge public interest in the features for possible inclusion in future accessory offerings.

Camaro Chroma:

It looks like the custom creation of a tuner shop, but the Camaro Chroma simply demonstrates how carefully selected accessories available through Chevy dealers can create a look like nothing else. The Camaro Chroma is based on an SS/RS model in Summit White and uses a combination of current and not-yet-released components, including:

* A new silver stripe package
* 21-inch wheels (future product, with silver-painted spoke centers and a Victory Red stripe)
* “Blade” rear spoiler (future product)
* Summit White ground effects package
* Rear fender vent graphics
* Accessory front grille with body-color outer frame (future accessory)

“With its silver graphics on the Summit White paint, this car has a tailored, tone-on-tone appearance that is simultaneously racy and subdued,” said Todd Parker, design manager, GM Accessory Studio. “It is a sophisticated-looking car that is easily duplicated by any customer, because all of the parts are available to build it.”

From a performance standpoint, the Camaro Chroma’s standard LS3 V-8 engine is equipped with current accessories, including a performance intake, shorty headers and performance exhaust system. There’s also a Victory Red engine cover and a Hurst short-throw shifter for the six-speed manual transmission, as well as red-painted Brembo brake calipers.

Inside, the black-and-grey leather seats feature red accent stitching, as do the shifter boot, floor mats and door trim. Accessory inserts for the dashboard and door panels (in silver) are also included as available accessories.

“What’s great about the Camaro Chroma is it speaks to the almost unlimited possibilities that the accessories offer,” said Parker. “You can build your Camaro mild or wild, but build it your way.”

Camaro Dusk:

Inspired by the style of young, urban professionals, the Camaro Dusk concept rolls with a contemporary tuner aesthetic. It is understatedly aggressive looking, with a lowered ride height, new 21-inch wheels, the rear spoiler from an SS model and a custom ground effects package.

“This is a car with an international flair, bringing the Camaro to a place it hasn’t traditionally been,” said Parker. “It is a very tailored look that is stylish and sophisticated, but with a distinct American accent.”

The ground effects package includes a racing-inspired front splitter, rocker extensions and a rear diffuser. They are prototype parts that may enter production as dealer-available accessories at a later date; the same goes for the 21-inch wheels from BBS. Many of the details, such as the taillamp and fog lamp bezels, match the finish of the wheels, lending a more premium look to the car.

The Camaro Dusk’s body is painted Berlin Blue, while the ground effects are painted a contrasting color. Additional performance items include the exhaust system and Brembo brakes from a Camaro SS (with painted calipers). The interior is trimmed in stylish Jet Black and Sedona, with complementing features including footwell lighting, premium door sill plates and other details.

Today’s young professionals expect advanced technology and premium audio options and this concept delivers with a crisp, well-tuned Boston Acoustics sound system, WiFi connectivity and a convenient cradle for an iPhone.

Camaro Graphics
Camaro designers dreamed up half a dozen proposals for accessory graphics packages, with the intent of soliciting feedback from Camaro enthusiasts for possible production. Chevrolet then launched the graphics campaign in mid-October, asking Camaro fans on Facebook to pick their favorite design.

The top four designs were produced and brought to the SEMA Convention, where a Silver Ice Metallic Camaro will wear each contender on a different day. At the conclusion of the convention, after thousands of enthusiasts see the graphics on the car in person and on Facebook, another round of voting will occur. The top vote-getter will be considered for future production.

“Camaro has thousands of fans on the various social media sites and this is a great way to demonstrate that Chevrolet is connected to our customers,” said Dewar. “With so many great designs to choose from, we’re sure the voting will be close, but whatever the outcome, the real winners will be the customers who personalize their Camaro with the winning graphics package.”

The Camaro Graphics display vehicle will be located prominently in the GM display during the SEMA Convention, starting on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009. At the close of the convention each day, the graphics package will be changed.

All of the proposed graphics packages can be viewed and voted on by logging onto Camaro’s Facebook page: www.facebook.com/chevycamaro.

- By: Kap Shah

General Motors today released new images of the Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Concept giving it the official name of “50th Anniversary Corvette Stingray Concept.”

In a short press release, GM said that the “Corvette Stingray Concept represents both the iconic legacy and an exciting future for Corvette.”

“The Corvette Stingray Concept was developed as an internal design challenge to combine classic Corvette cues with surprisingly high-tech features, modern materials, and a striking new appearance. The car is well-appointed with a clamshell hood, scissor-style doors, ergonomic seats, rear-view camera with night vision enhancement, and a high performance hybrid drive. Interactive touch controls allow the driver to customize the power and efficiency of his or her ride and share it with friends via the in-car camera system and advanced telemetrics.”

Earlier this year, Tom Stephen, GM’s vice chairman of global product development, said that GM may consider offering a hybrid powertrain for the Corvette. To boost fuel-economy GM plans to reduce the weight of the Corvette, offer low resistance tires and an engine with direct injection, variable valve timing and cylinder deactivation.

50th Anniversary Corvette Stingray Concept:

- By: Omar Rana

We’re pretty sure that by now you’ve heard enough about the Toyota FT-86 and the Subaru 086A. Both cars are a new rear-wheel-drive sports car developed jointly by Toyota and Subaru and will go on sale sometime in early 2011.

According to a report by AutoTelegraaf, Toyota and Subaru are both planning a convertible version of their sports coupesx. A senior official at Toyota told the publication that if the coupe launch is strong enough, the companies may plan on doing a convertible version.

From what we can gather, it is reported that the base Toyota and Subaru sports coupe models will be powered by a 2.0L turbocharged boxer engine making above 200-hp. Subaru is also planning an STI version that will pump out close to 308-hp.

If given the green light, the convertible version of the car will launch a year after the coupe goes on sale.

Click here for more news on the Toyota FT-86 Concept.

Toyota FT-86 Concept:

- By: Kap Shah

Source: AutoTelegraaf (via MotorAuthority)

Meet the Maserati Kuba Crossover, a design project by Russian student Andrei Trofimtchouk. Right off the bat we want to point out that the Maserati has no plans to do an SUV or Crossover anytime soon but if they ever do, let’s hope it looks somewhat like this.

The Maserati Kuba looks something like the Spyker D12 Peking with a Maserati trident and design cues.

WorldCarFans says that power for the Maserati Kuba could come from Alfa Romeo’s 3.2L V6 or the 4.7L V8 used in the Gran Turismo.

Dream away.

Maserati Kuba by Andrei Trofimtchouk:

- By: Kap Shah

Source: Car Design (via WCF)

The Mitsubishi Concept PX-MiEV plug-in hybrid crossover has made its world debut at the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show. No word on whether Mitsubishi will ever make a production version of the car but we wouldn’t doubt it.

Power comes from two electric-motors at the front and rear wheels and a 1.6L DOHC MIVEC gasoline engine which works as a generator. Riding on Mitsubishi’s all-new S-AWC (Super All Wheel Control) system, the PX-MiEV returns an estimated fuel-economy of 118 mpg in U.S. terms.

It was reported earlier this week that Mitsubishi may use the technology from the PX-MiEV in the next-generation Lancer Evolution.

Make the jump for the press release and the high-res image gallery.

Tokyo 2009: Mitsubishi Concept PX-MiEV:

- By: Kap Shah

The new Toyota FT-86 Concept has made its world debut at the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show and we have all the live pictures for you to check out.

Click here fore more news on the Toyota FT-86 Concept.

Refresher: Inspired by the sporty 1980s Corolla AE86, the production version of the FT-86 is reported to be powered by a 200-hp 2.0L boxer Subaru engine sending power to the rear-wheels. Production is expected to start in 2011 with prices starting above $20,000.

Follow the jump for the high-res image gallery.

Tokyo 2009: Toyota FT-86 Concept:

Toyota FT-86 Concept:

- By: Kap Shah

Subaru has taken the covers off of its new Subaru Hybrid Tourer Concept. Owner Fuji Heavy Industries says that the concept hints at the future design language for the Subaru brand. Separately, Fuji said that Subaru will add its first hybrid vehicle in 2012 as a version of an exiting model in its lineup, reports Automotive News.

Ikuo Mori, president of Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd., did not say when they hybrid model will come to the United States, but did say that the model will help the brand meet tougher U.S. fuel-economy standards that will take effect in 2016 year. He also declined to say which model will offer a hybrid option.

The Subaru Hybrid Tourer Concept is powered by a 2.0L Horizontally-Opposed direct fuel-injection turbo gasoline engine mated to symmetrical AWD system and a unique hybrid two-motor system.

Tokyo 2009: Subaru Hybrid Tourer Concept:

- By: Kap Shah

At the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show, Nissan will show its new Land Glider Concept, one of the most unusual concepts the Japanese automaker has ever produced, but Nissan is very serious about it.

The Nissan Land Glider is about 43 inches wide and the wheels and fenders tilt about 17 degrees when cornering, allowing the car to lean as it goes around curves in the roads.

“This is our second phase of electric-vehicle design,” said Takashi Nakajima, director of exploratory design for Nissan.

Insiders say that Nissan is dead serious about putting the concept into production for the Infiniti brand for global markets, including the United States, reports Automotive News.

Nonetheless, don’t expect to see the one-seater electric Infiniti on the roads anytime soon. Nakajima said that his exploratory design is intended to look five to 10 years into the future at emerging market trends.

Nissan Land Glider Concept:

- By: Omar Rana

Lately, we’ve been hearing a lot about a future BMW supercar known as the ‘Z10.’ The car has been confirmed for production by many BMW executives, most importantly by the automaker’s head of design, Adrian van Hooydonk.

It is reported that the BMW Vision EfficientDynamics concept, which debuted at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show, is virtually a study of a production Z10.

Sources say that the production Z10 could be powered by a 3.0L twin-turbo straight-6 making  450-hp and a peak torque of 350 lb-ft. Other rumors suggest a twin-turbo V6. The BMW Vision EfficientDynmaics Concept is powered by 163-hp 1.5L 3-cylinder turbo-diesel engine and two electric motors making a total output 356-hp with a maximum torque of 590 lb-ft.

Whatever the case is, BMWBlog posted these renderings of a future BMW Sportscar Concept Study. The renderings are the work of none other than Emil Baddal, who also gave us the Porsche-branded Supercar Concept earlier this morning.

Click here for more news on the BMW Z10.

BMW Sportscar Concept Study:

- By: Kap Shah

Source: BMWBlog

We honestly can’t get enough of the new Toyota FT-86 Concept and we’re pretty sure that there’s a part of you that can’t either. We have now come across some images of the FT-86 in flesh posted on the ft86club forums. The outstanding photos give us a closer and more detailed look at Toyota’s upcoming rear-wheel-drive sports car.

Click here fore more news on the Toyota FT-86 Concept.

Refresher: Inspired by the sporty 1980s Corolla AE86, the production version of the FT-86 is reported to be powered by a 200-hp 2.0L boxer Subaru engine sending power to the rear-wheels. Production is reported to start in 2011 with prices starting above $20,000.

Make the jump for the high-res image gallery.

Toyota FT-86 Concept (Live):

- By: Omar Rana

Source: ft86club (via Jalopnik)

The renderings you see here are from Emil Baddal, an Iranian artist that is proposing design for a new Porsche-branded supercar.

Unfortunately, Baddal did not name the concept nor did he provide any technical details as to what kind of powertrain would run the car.

Like it, love it or hate it? Let us know in the comments section below. If you have something in mind that should power this aggressive looking supercar – let us know that too.

Follow the jump for more pictures.

Porsche Supercar Concept – by Emil Baddal:

- By: Kap Shah

Source: Designer Space (via CarScoop)

Later this month, Toyota will give us our first look at its new rear-wheel-drive sports coupe by unveiling the new FT-86 Concept. The production model will be produced jointly with Fuji Heavy Industries, with most of the mechanical work on the car to be completed by Subaru.

Subaru will get its own version of the sports coupe (with all-wheel-drive of course), which will debut early next year. Both the Toyota and the Subaru sports coupe are expected to be powered by 2.0L a 200-hp Subaru boxer engine. However, it is now reported that Subaru is also planning an STI version of its sports coupe, internally known as the 086A STI.

According to a report by Japanese publication Holiday Auto, the STI Version will use the EJ25 2.5L engine and will produce between 240-hp to 250-hp.  Subaru hasn’t confirmed anything yet buy Holiday Auto says to look out for the 086A STI at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show.

Toyota FT-86 Concept:

- By: Kap Shah

Source: 7Tune

Subaru has released additional pictures of its new Hybrid Tourer Concept, which will make its official debut at the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show. Subaru says that the concept features the company’s “latest evolutions in handling agility, riding comfort and superior safety performance.”

It also hints at a feature hybrid grand touring model.

Power for the Subaru Hybrid Tourer Concept comes from a 2.0L Horizontally-Opposed direct fuel-injection turbo gasoline engine mated to symmetrical AWD system and a unique hybrid two-motor system.

Check out our original post on the Subaru Hybrid Tourer Concept here.

Subaru Hybrid Tourer Concept:

- By: Omar Rana

Earlier this week, Toyota showed us the first pictures of its new FT-86 Concept, which will make its world debut at the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show later this month. When introducing a new sports cars, especially a spiritual successor to the Toyota AE86, a popular sports car of the 1980s, there is no question what color it should be displayed in.

“Sports cars have to be red, but we wanted a new red,” said Tetsuya Tada, the chief engineer. “So we came up with shoujyouhi red, the traditional red color of a Japanese monkey’s backside.”

We’re just left wondering what the color would be called when the FT-86 makes it into production? Have any suggestions? Let us know in the comments section. We’re going to start off with “Japanese monkey backside red.”

Click here to read our original post on the Toyota FT-86 Concept and make the jump to see the high-res image gallery.

Refresher: Inspired by the sporty 1980s Corolla AE86, the production version of the FT-86 will carry a 2.0L boxer Subaru engine sending power to the rear-wheels. Production is reported to start in 2011 with prices starting above $20,000.

Toyota FT-86 Concept:

– By: Omar Rana

Source: NYTimes
Monkey Image Source: Flickr

Thanks for the tip Seth!

At the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show later this month, Nissan will show its new Nissan Leaf electric-car slated for global launch in 2010. Standing next to the Nissan Leaf will be the Land Glider EV concept.

Nissan says that the Land Glider concept is a “new proposal for urban mobility that can be enabled by zero-emission car.”

The Japanese automaker says that its narrow, ultra-compact body can help reduce traffic congestion and promote effective use of parking space. The Land Glider shifts the center of gravity by leaning on turns providing a sense of driving and a powerful ride.

Full technical specs will be made available at the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show.

Make the jump for the high-res image gallery.

Nissan Land Glider Concept:

- By: Kap Shah