Lamborghini CEO Stephan Winkelmann has said many times before that the Italian automaker is dedicated to introducing a new model every year. Following the Reventon Coupe and the Reventon Roadster, Lamborghini is working on the Jota for next year, set to replace the Murcielago. The Jota will get a new a carbon fiber chassis with carbon fiber aluminum body. Power is expected to come from a 6.0L V12 with direct-injection making more than 700-hp.

According to sources, Lamborghini is also planning a model above the Jota, known as the Urus (and no we’re not talking about a production Lamborghini Estoque sedan).

Insiders say that the Urus will come to the market to compete with the Ferrari Enzo. The model will be based on a modified chassis that will underpin the Jota. It will be reworked to be light and dynamic as possible, reports CarUK.net. Power is rumored to come from a V12 making over 800-hp, allowing for a 0-60 mph time in the low 3 second range.

When can you expect to see the Urus? Not until 2011 and don’t expect to see it on the roads until 2012. The Lamborghini Jota will arrive sometime in late 2010.

- By: Omar Rana

Source: CarsUK

We’ve been hearing rumors about a hardcore version of the 599 GTB Fiorano for some time now. According to Autogespot, the rumors may in fact be true. The publication reports that the car, known as the 599 GTO, will pay homage to the legendary 250 GTO of the 1960s.

Power is said to come from a V12 making between 680-hp to 700-hp, while weight is reported to be reduced by 100 to 150 lbs. The overall look of the 599 GTO will be inspired by the 599XX Concept that made its debut at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show.

Sometime in the next two months, dealers and customers will head to Maranello for a personal introduction to the car. After that, the model should make its debut at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show.

Pricing is said to start around at least $380,000 with production limited to around 500 units.

Ferrari 599XX:

- By: Omar Rana

Source: Autogespot (via WCF)

FoMoCo has previously said that 90 percent of its line-up will feature its new EcoBoost fuel-saving engines by 2013. Nearly 80 percent of Ford’s global nameplates will have an available EcoBoost option. The Dearborn automakers says that by 2013, global EcoBoost volume throughout the Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicle family is expected to be 1.3 million units, with up to 750,000 sales coming from North America alone.

Other than its current 3.5L V6 EcoBoost, Ford has plans to add a 1.6L EcoBoost turbocharged 4-cylinder engine to the Ford Focus, Ford Fiesta and some other models. The companies Grand C-Max will also make it to the U.S. in late 2011 with a 4-cylinder EcoBoost.

But will Ford ever integrate EcoBoost technology into V8 engines? According to sources that spoke with TheDetroitBureau.com, Ford is considering EcoBoost technology for a modified V8, which may find itself powering the next-generation Ford Shelby Mustangs.

“Imagine what we could do with a big V8?” hinted a well-placed company source told the publication. Ford has previously denied rumors of EcoBoost technology for its base 2011 Mustang and Mustang GT sports cars. We’re going to have to file this under rumors for now.

2010 Ford Shelby GT500:

- By: Omar Rana

Source: The Detroit Bureau

Tesla has delivered 900 Elise-based Roadsters resulting in a successful collaboration between both Lotus and Tesla. According to rumors, Lotus is now eager to begin other 3rd party collaborations and this time, it is planning to share the much-acclaimed Evora platform.

A document from Lotus Engineering has popped up detailing a sales pitch of the Evora’s Versatile Vehicle Architecture (VVA) architecture. The document sells the Evora platform as an easily adaptable underpinning for various vehicle configurations including an EV.

The Lotus Evora platform is an evolution of the Versatile Vehicle Architecture (VVA) from the Lotus APX concept vehicle and allows for the development of a range of cars up to a gross weight of 1,900 kg (3,306 lbs). Lotus says that the platform is more applicable to mid-volume applications by using low investment manufacturing processes.

Lotus has plans to offer a convertible version of the Evora later next year.

- By: Kap Shah

Source: Lotus Entusiast (via MotorAuthority)

There has to be a reason BMW created the Vision EfficientDynamics Concept the way they did other than to show some fuel-saving technologie… right? According to AutoExpress, the new concept by BMW hints at a future BMW M1 that could see the light of day by 2012.

The publication says that the M1 would feature a high-performance hybrid powertrain similar to the one found in the Vision EfficientDynamics, showing that BMW is concerned with plants and trees rather than just downright performance.

Like the Vision EfficientDynamics, the M1 would be powered by a 163-hp 1.5L 3-cylinder and two electric-motors producing a total of 356-hp and 590 lb-ft of torque. Mated to a dual-clutch gearbox, the M1 should go from 0 to 60 mph in less than 5 seconds with a top speed governed at 155 mph. Of course it would have class-leading fuel-economy and all that.

We’re going to take this one with a grain of salt.

BMW Vision EfficientDynamics Concept:

- By: Omar Rana

Source: Inside Line

BMW has a lot planned for the upcoming 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show next month. The automaker is set to reveal not one, but two hybrid vehicles including the ActiveHybrid 7 and the ActiveHybrid X6.

According to sources who spoke with Mini enthusiast website MotoringFile, BMW has decided to move up the launch of the Speedster/Coupe concept and the production Mini Countryman R60 crossover to as early as this week. Apparently they don’t want the two Mini debuts to be overlooked in Frankfurt.

Both models will be revealed online this week, way ahead of their launch in Frankfurt. If MotoringFile is right, we’ll have all the images and details for you whenever they pop up. Stay tuned.

MINI Crossover Concept:

- By: The Daily Auto Editor

Source: MotoringFile

Word on the street is that besides the Audi A5 Sportback, the Ingolstadt-based automaker has plans to unveil an Audi RS3, a hardcore version of the Audi A3 hatchback.

According to the Swedish edition of Auto Motor & Sport, sources say that Audi will unveil an RS3 at next month’s 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show. Sources told the publication that the RS3 will have a very powerful engine making between 350-hp to 400-hp and will be faster than the R8 with a 4.2L FSI engine. We’re guessing it’ll carry the Audi TT-RS’s 2.5L 5-cylinder turbocharged engine. Sounds crazy huh? Yes, it sounds ridiculously crazy to us too.

Whether it will be a concept or a production version remains to be unknown. We’ll have to wait until next month to find out.

Last year Audi showed its A3 TDI clubsport quattro concept at the 27th annual Lake Wörther Tour. Power came from a 2.0L TDI 4-cylinder TDI with common-rail injection system that produces 224-hp and 332 lb-ft of torque. 0 to 62mph comes in at 6.6 seconds with a top speed of 149mph.

Audi A3 TDI clubsport quattro:

- By: Omar Rana

Source: Auto Motor Sport (via WCF)

We’ve been hearing about a drop-top version of the Lamborghini Reventon since March. In fact, just last month, it was reported that the Reventon Roadster was revealed to a select few; most likely clients with very deep pockets.

It is now rumored that Lamborghini will show the Reventon Roadster at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show next month. Of course it isn’t official until we here something from Sant’Agata Bolognese, Italy – but we’d like to keep our hopes up.

Oh, and if you’re wondering what’s going to be under the hood – rumor has it that power will come from the 670-hp 6.5L V12 from the recently unveiled Murcielago LP 670-4 SuperVeloce. Only 9 units of the Reventon Roadster are expected to be produced.

Lamborghini Reventon:

- By: Omar Rana

Source: The Car Connection, LamboCars

Taking a break from all the GM news today we’re going to bring you some news from the supercar world. The folks at PistonHeads apparently ran into some Aston Martin test-drivers on a trip to the Nurburgring. Besides seeing the Aston Martin Rapide, the Aston Martin drivers were hanging out with a DBS prototype.

While the group remained tight-lipped about the car, Nurburgring sources are saying that Aston Martin is working on a hardcore version of the DBS. Think of it as an “R” type package with a bunch of performance upgrades and sleeker looks. If sources are to be believed, you can expect some suspension and power upgrades.

Will it happen? Only time will tell.

- By: The Daily Auto Editor

Source: PistonHeads

Last month, we were officially told that the Pontiac G8 will not survive as a Chevrolet Caprice.

“I’d mentioned it, and said we were studying it, giving it a serious look, because a car like the G8 was just too good to waste,” said Lutz. “That’s all still true. But I have to say that, with my new “marketing” hat on, upon further review and careful study, we simply cannot make a business case for such a program. Not in today’s market, in this economy, and with fuel regulations what they are and will be.”

As reported earlier this morning, GM held a little group meeting with a bunch of PR folks and social media geeks. According to Twitterer Joel Feder, who spoke with Bob Lutz at the event, the G8 may actually come back as a high-end Chevrolet.

Lutz said that the G8 may return “as a really high end Chevy” not as a caprice. Expect “high end brakes, huge engine, big and fast. Like four door Corvette.”

Take this with a grain of salt because nothing is official unless it’s confirmed by GM itself. Not to mention, GM is well known for changing their mind.

Reviewed: 2010 Pontiac G8 GXP:

- By: Omar Rana

Source: Twitter

Chrysler’s Dodge Viper business, which is now fully owned by Fiat,  will continue on with its 2009 model year lineup and is expected to switch over to the 2010 model year in January. According to sources, Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne has big plans for the Viper brand and thinks it could potentially be to Dodge what the Miata is to Mazda.

Rumors in Torino, Italy say that Fiat is considering fitting the Dodge Viper with a V10 version of the next-generation corporate V8. The program could be derived from the same powerplant that will be found in future Maserati and Ferrari models.

As CARandDRIVER points out, an interesting iron here is that Chrysler saved troubled Lamborghini in 1987. The move gave birth to the V10 powerplant for the Dodge Viper and the Lamborghini Gallardo.

- By: Stephen Calogera

Source: CARandDRIVER

Toyota’s upcoming sports car, being developed in partnership with Subaru, is on track for 2011. Known as the Toyota 086A, aka Toyobaru, the sports car is now rumored to receive a “decent power drop is on the cards in order to lower emissions and make the car more economical,” reports 7Tune.

Originally, the Toyobaru was to produce 197-hp from its 2.0L direct injection gasoline 4-cylinder engine. According to sources, Toyota and Subaru are now pressured to develop an “eco car” in Japan, hurting the performance of the upcoming sports car.

Power output has now been decreased to 157-hp; however there has been some loss in weight in order to keep a respectable power to weight ratio.

Look our for a concept version of the 086A at the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show.

- By: The Daily Auto Editor

Source: 7Tune

Over the weekend, we saw Nissan unveil its first mass-production electric-vehicle due out in the U.S. as early as next year. Nissan, which has been very vocal about its electric-future recently, said yesterday that it wants to mass market its electric vehicles globally by 2012.

According to report by AutoCar, an all-electric version of the upcoming Qazana crossover and a production version of the mini Nuvu electric-concept is a possibility for 2013.

The Qazana, which was unveiled at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show earlier this year, will be produced at Nissan’s Sunderland factory in the UK.

A source said that Nissan has plans of building seven lithium-ion battery production lines around the world, each with a capacity to produce 50,000 lithium-ion batteries annually.

The production version of the Nissan Qazana will debut at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show.

Nissan Qazana Crossover Concept:

- By: Kap Shah

Source: AutoCar

About two weeks ago, Mercedes-Benz confirmed that it is working on a Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG with electric-drive, scheduled to debut in 2015. It is now reported (or rumored) that Audi will be showing a concept at this September’s 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show that will compete with the SLS AMG eDrive.

Known as the Audi R8 ePerformance, the electric version of the popular super car will carry electric motors and large batteries.

There are no official details on the technical specs of the R8 ePerformance so we’ll have to wait for Audi to make something official.

- By: Kap Shah

Source: L’Automobile

We’ve been hearing about Lamborghini working on a limited edition Roadster version of the Reventon for some time now. According to Carsuk.net Lamborghini is unofficially revealing the Reventon Roadster today to likely clients.

It is said that the Lamborghini Reventon Roadster will be powered by the 670-hp 6.5L V12 from the recently unveiled Murcielago LP 670-4 SuperVeloce. Instead of 20 limited-edition units like the Reventon, Lamborghini will make just nine units of the roadster variant, which will start at a whopping €1,200,000 ($1.6 million USD).

We haven’t heard or seen anything official from Lamborghini as of yet, so we’re going to have to file this under “Rumors” for now.

Lamborghini Reventon:

- By: Omar Rana

Source: CarsUK (via WCF)

Honda recently confirmed that its production CR-Z hybrid will be arriving in Japan in February 2010. According to 7Tune, Toyota is now developing a new hybrid sports car to compete with the CR-Z hybrid.

Toyota’s hybrid sports car will be based on a shortened Prius platform that will be reduced by 100mm. The 2010 Prius’ 1.8L Atkinson 4-cylinder engine will be carried over as well but will be retuned to produce a total of 134-hp. As a result, fuel-economy of Toyota’s hybrid sports car will be a little less than the Prius’ 50 mpg.

Toyota’s 2-door 2+2 hybrid sports car is expected to debut in mid-2012. Yeah – we’re going to file this under rumors for now.

- By: Stephen Calogera

Source: 7Tune

According to UK publication AutoExpress, one of the most-loved Ford sports cars, the Ford Puma, is making a comeback. The new Puma, most of which will based on the new Fiesta, will compete with the upcoming Honda CR-Z hybrid and Hyundai Veloster.

The Ford Puma exterior will build on the Fiesta design theme along with much of the interior to be carried over from Ford’s new global compact car as well.

Power will come from the line of Fiesta’s powertrain choices including 95-hp 1.4L, a 118-hp 1.6L and a 1.4L and 1.6L TDCi. Ford’s recently confirmed 230-hp 2.0L 4-cylinder EcoBoost should also find its way under the Puma’s hood. An ST version should provide an option for those looking for a more sportier version.

While all this sounds fine and dandy, the new Ford Puma is some way off. As of right now, Ford is focused releasing the second-generation C-MAX, third-generation Focus followed by the Kuga and Mondeo Coupe. We don’t expect to see the Puma until at least 2012.

- By: The Daily Auto Editor

Source: AutoExpress

Before the end of last year, it was reported that Honda killed the much-anticipated successor to the Acura / Honda NSX – apparently those reports were interpreted the wrong way. According to 7Tune, the NSX project is moving ahead with some changes on the drawing board.

Sources say that the program has been steadily progressing since the NSX prototype’s appearance at the Nurburgring last year. However, the project has now changed over to become what Honda calls the “Super Hybrid Sports.” Honda is working on a more environmentally-friendly approach to the NSX in a direct answer to Toyota’s FT-HS hybrid sports car (which is not confirmed for production – so we’re a bit confused here).

Instead of being powered by a 600-hp 5.5L V10, the NSX successor will now carry the “valveless throttle” 3.5L V6 mated to a hybrid system. That will allow the car to produce a total of 450-hp for some dynamic performance. Extra weight will be added to the car due to the ”SH-AWD system, which will be bolted to an aluminum platform and feature a rear transaxle just like the R35 Nissan GT-R.”

The previously scheduled 2010 debut has been pushed back. No confirmation on when the NSX successor will debut.

We’re going to have to file this under rumors for now

2010 Acura NSX Prototype at Nurburgring :

- By: Omar Rana

Source: 7Tune