Teasing GT-R enthusiasts, Francois Bancon, Infiniti of Tokyo head of advanced planning, has recently mentioned the strong possibility of an Inifiniti model based on the Nissan GT-R platform.

“It’s too good a platform to use only on one model,” Bancon said. The GT-R based model would be a flagship sports car for the luxury brand.

He also adds that “We have three or four proposals we are looking at right now. Once we have launched the new smaller Infiniti (coming in 2015), the time would be right to have a flagship.”

It will be at least two years before we know Infiniti’s plans for sure, so if the brand does decide to move forward with the project, it would be at least another five years before production.

Check out more news on the Nissan GT-R.

If Infiniti does need a halo car, is it right to mess with the 545hp V6 icon? In order to place its badge on the car, it would take some refinement over the sports car, which almost feels wrong. Part of what makes the GT-R iconic is that it is great in its own way, all by itself, boasting awesome horsepower and track-ready performance. On the other hand, Bancon could be right, is it simply a waste to use this platform on just one model? From a business standpoint this may be a good perspective, but as an enthusiast, the GT-R platform should be left alone.

By: Alexandra Koken

Source: CARMagazine

Here is another BMW rumor for you Bayerische enthusiasts. Word on the street is that BMW is considering to launch a new 1-Series hatchback model next summer called the M135i. The news comes from the same Netherlands dealer presentation that brought us news of a 318-hp tri-turbo M550d diesel.

Rumors suggest that the new BMW M135i will be powered by the company’s N55 inline 6-cylinder engine making around 320-hp. That’s just 15-hp less than the new BMW 1-Series M Coupe.

The BMW M135i is also reported to be offered with all-wheel-drive – a new for the 1-Series.

Hopefully, BMW continues to offer the 1-Series M Coupe next year.

Side Note: At the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show in September, BMW revealed the 2012 1-Series Performance Package (pictured above), which kicks up output to 320-hp.

All Photos Copyright © Omar Rana – egmCarTech.

- By: Omar Rana

Source: 1addicts

The engine is also expected to make its way into the X5 and X6 models.

Click here for more news on the BMW 5-Series.

Furthermore, rumors suggest that the M550d will be available with all-wheel-drive only.

According to documents, production of the BMW M550d will start next March. No word on whether the diesel 5-Series will come to the United States.

- By: Omar Rana

Source: 5post

Work on the second-generation Audi R8‘s carbon fiber/aluminum architecture is already under way and will also pin the next Lamborghini Gallardo.

The move will help Porsche save on development costs and development time that it takes to build an architecture from scratch. The car is expected to be launched in 2015.

The next Audi R8 is rumored to get the new V8 twin-turbo that recently debut in the S8 – the engine can be pushed to more than 513-hp. A new dual-clutch 7-speed S-tronic gearbox will take place of the current automated six-speeder.

- By: Omar Rana

Source: AutoCar

Rumors have been floating around that Audi was planning on an addition: a baby R8. And apparently, reports say Audi insiders have been leaking quite a bit of information.

Internally known as the R4, the model will be a two-seater sports car that will sit in between the Audi TT and the Audi R8 to rival the new drop-dead gorgeous Jaguar C-X16.

“If the go-ahead was given today, it would take around three years to put into production,” said the source. “If you start with a roadster, it’s easy to make a coupe version, too [it’s simply a matter of putting a roof on].”

The engines supplied are said to be Audi’s new 2.5L turbocharged five-cylinder that is estimated to produce around 400hp. A hybrid function is also a possibility and will be integrated into the R4’s standard all-wheel drive system. An electric motor will sit at the front axle, with the engine in the middle. Neither of the motors will be mechanically connected and will instead use a clever torque vectoring system that first debuted in the e-tron Spyder, the source indicated.

When driven, the R4 would be able to drive its electric motor alone for up to 37 mph and 30 miles.

The source concluded that if the R4 were to get the greenlight, it would cost around £50,000.

- By: Chris Chin

Source: AutoExpress

The Honda/Acura NSX is one supercar that we’re kind of sick of writing about – and no it’s not because we have a distaste for the car – we just have a distaste of rumors about a successor for the car being on and off.

New reports suggest that the new Acura sports cars concept seen recently on the set of The Avengers in Central Park, New York, with actor Robert Downey Jr at the wheel, is a teaser to the next-generation NSX.

Apparently, a source inside Honda has told AutoExpress that the dual note 4WD hybrid concept from the 2001 Tokyo Motor Show was our look at the technology that will underpin the NSX. That concept was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 and an in-wheel electric motor that pushed over 400-hp.

Click here for more news on the Acura NSX.

Insiders say that Honda is working on a new 3.5 liter to 3.7 liter VTEC V6 with a twin electric motor set-up that will get its juice from lithium-ion batteries. It will have a plug-in recharge system for a small electric-only driving range.

If all this is to be believed, the next Honda / Acura NSX will debut sometime in 2014.

- By: Omar Rana

Source: AutoExpress

Although the Mitsubishi Eclipse is recently retired, there is a possibility of a rapid resurrection.

After almost a million sold over 20 years, the Mitsubishi Eclipse’s sales were on a steady decline after 2002′s peak. The car managed to outlast it’s competition, like the Acura RSX and Honda Prelude, that went out of production years earlier.

With that, and change in market trends veering away from the over-popularity of large SUV’s, Mitsubishi believes that if there is still a demand for the Eclipse the car could return.

- By: Alexandra Koken

Source: Automobile

New details suggest that the model is internally known as ‘project 960′ and will be based on the Volkswagen Group’s new Mimo platform – the same platform that will underpin the next-generation 911. Mimo is known internally as MSB-M, short for modular sports car matrix, mid-engined version.

Power is expected to come from a 3.8 liter twin-turbo 6-cylinder making 600-hp with a maximum torque of 550 lb-ft.

The Porsche 960 is expected to go into production in September 2015. The model is reported to be available in coupe and roadster variants.

- By: Omar Rana

Source: CAR

Since 2007 when the global GT-R was released, Nissan has been working on improvements and tweaks for the model. After last year’s power upgrades from 3.8-liter turbo V6 to 530hp, the automaker is still looking for ways in can upgrade the 2013 GT-R.

Nissan announced at a Nurburgring press event that it will be adding around 40-hp, putting horsepower at over 570, lowering C02 emission, and remapping the ECU.

Click here for more news on the Nissan GT-R.

The Premium Black Edition will be available worldwide, however there will be no other styling changes.

- By: Alexandra Koken

Source: NAGTROC

While Chrysler won’t officially confirm anything, sources close to the project tell Inside Line that the Durango SRT8 is seriously being considered. However, one thing holding the project from moving forward is the slow sales of the 2011 Dodge Durango R/T, which is powered by a 5.7 liter HEMI V8.

Of the 30,227 Dodge Durangos sold since the R/T model launched in March, only 2,148 have been R/T models – just 7 percent.

Click here or more news on the Dodge Durango.

If the Dodge Durango SRT8 does happen – it will be powered by the same 6.4 liter HEMI V8 used in the Grand Cherokee SRT8, Charger SRT8 and the Chrysler 300 SRT8. The engine is good for producing a whopping 470-hp with a peak torque of 465 lb-ft of torque.

Refresher: Power for the 2011 Dodge Durango comes from two engine choices. Standard is Chrysler’s 290-hp 3.6L Pentastar V6 and optional is the 360-hp 5.7L HEMI V8 with fuel-saving, Multi-displacement system (MDS) 4-cylinder mode. The Pentastar V6 has a towing capacity of 6,200 pounds while the V8 can pull 7,400 pounds. Prices for the 2011 Dodge Durango start at $29,195.

- By: Omar Rana

Source: Inside Line

“I want Lexus to be the brand chosen by the most sophisticated of drivers,” Toyoda said. “I want Lexus to compete around the world with global Lexus models. And don’t worry about high-performance Lexuses like F Sport and F models going away.”

If the Lexus GS-F ever enters production, speculation is that it will be powered by a 5.0 liter V8 that is used in the IS-F. Output should come somewhere around 550-hp. The engine is expected to be mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission.

Click here for more news on the Lexus GS.

Whatever the case may be, the Lexus GS-F probably won’t hit dealers until sometime 2013 as a 2014 model year.

Refresher: The 2013 Lexus GS 350 is powered by a 3.5 liter V6 engine making 306-hp at 6,400 rpm with a maximum torque of 277 lb-ft at 4,800 rpm. Mated to a 6-speed sequential-shift transmission, the Lexus GS sprints from 0 to 60 mph in an impressive 5.7 seconds with a top speed of 142 mph. Acceleration from 30 to 50 mph takes just 3 seconds.

- By: Omar Rana

Source: Inside Line

For many months now, we’ve heard rumors that BMW will no longer build the M3 sedan after the current product cycle – however, new rumors suggest otherwise. Word has it that the BMW M3 sedan will carry on and it may be the only M3 offered altogether.

Wait? What did we just say? What about the M3 Coupe and M3 Convertible? Apparently, BMW is adopting a new naming strategy where all the coupe and convertible models will get even numbers and all the sedans will keep their current odd numbers (1, 3, 5 and 7 Series).

That mean the next BMW M3 Coupe and BMW M3 Convertible will be known as the BMW M4.

Whatever the case may be, we know that BMW will never retire the legendary M3 nameplate.

- By: Omar Rana

Source: BimmerFile

Rumors have been floating around the next generation M3, saying that it will ditch its current 4.0L V8 in favor of a force induced six-cylinder to keep up with the times of engine downsizing and increasing fuel economy. Now though, apparently a BMW insider has allegedly confirmed that the new M3 will be losing two cylinders for its next generation.

The insider said that the new BMW M3 will reach the UK markets by 2014 in coupe form with a twin-turbocharged 3.0L six-cylinder that’s currently under development by BMW’s M-Division.

Click here for more news on the BMW M3.

The same engine is said to also be the replacement for the next BMW 1-Series M-Coupe. BMW’s insider described the engine as being “heavily differentiated from the current six-cylinders offered by BMW, which include the twin-turbocharged N54 and twin-scroll turbocharged N55 3.0L straight-sixes.”

Some of these differentiations include a new engine management system, indution system, cylinder head, pistons and connecting rods. So basically, it’s a completely new engine.
Word is that despite the downsize, the new six-cylinder could be more powerful than the outgoing 414hp V8. At the press event unveiling the new E90 M3 Sedan CRT, BMW hinted at a figure that will be in the ballpark of 450hp.

The old rumor though said that the new M3 may have a V6. Could this way of hinting at an all-new engine for the M3 be BMW’s way of telling us this is true? Could BMW be slowly phasing out its traditional, more expensive straight sixes in favor of cheaper, more run-of-the-mill V6s like Mercedes-Benz has? Let us hope not. BMW is one of the very few makers who still features straight-sixes.

BMW M3 CRT:

- By: Chris Chin

Source: AutoCar

Ever since the Cadillac Converj made its debut at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show, the car has been rumored/reported to be greenlighted for production on numerous occasions. Finally, in March of 2010, official (and believable) reports stated that GM has officially stopped work on the production version of the Converj to focus on cheaper plug-in hybrids for its luxury brand… until now.

Rumors have kicked off once again that Cadillac has decided to move forward with a production of the Converj.

The model is likely to debut in 2013 as a 2014 model year and will carry Cadillac-’s three-letter model theme.

Click here for more news on the Cadillac Converj.

Refresher: The Cadillac Converj Concept is powered by GM’s Voltec-system along with 4-cylinder engine that produces 161-hp with a maximum torque of 273 lb-ft. The Converj can travel up 40 miles on battery-power alone. Top speed is rated at 100 mph. GM says that it takes less than 3 hours to recharge the battery at 240V and about 8 hours from a 120V outlet.

Cadillac Converj Concept:

- By: Omar Rana

Source: Green Car Reports

Bentley has been hard at work with their latest planned SUV and just recently, Bentley’s new boss, Wolfgang Durheimer, gave us some additional details to their new SUV.

Expected to launch sometime in 2014 for a price of around £150,000, the Bentley SUV will feature the obvious such as their fastidious build quality and wood and leather galore. Bentley is making sure that their SUV is clearly place above the already preexisting standard, the Range Rover.

However, Bentley’s SUV is still heavily involved with the research and development stages as Durheimer said that the SUV’s new platform is still being decided. Chances are though that the SUV will be built on parent company’s Volkswagen MLB modular chassis, which will also underpin the Audi Q7 replacement.

Durheimer also stated that he is a strong supporter of Bentley adopting diesel, most likely to help reduce the overall Corporate Average Fuel Economy to meet the new US mandates. So this means the new SUV could also Audi’s gynormous V12 TDi engine with Bugatti Veyron-equivalent of 738 lb-ft of torques. He also stated that we can expect to see the standard engine to be a gasoline W12 engine, much like the one found in the Continental GT.

Despite all of these new details, Bentley’s SUV still has to get the green light from Volkswagen AG, though Durheimer is confident that they will.

- By: Chris Chin

Source: AutoCar

Infiniti CEO Ghosn has recently shared some mixed messages recently in regards to the company having plans of its own version of Nissan’s awesome GT-R.

Ghosn comments “Are we going to do that, I would say ‘no’, I don’t think so…If your question is ‘could we do that’, I would say ‘yes’. The idea of using existing technologies on the body of an Infiniti, yet. All the technologies developed for Nissan are available to Infiniti.’. Is that plain enough for you?

Ghosn continued on a bit on the topic, saying “I think we need to go step by step. We have positioned the FX, the M, the G. Then we have the QX in the U.S., which is a big success over there … We have the EX…the electric car… a sub-G smaller car coming…” So overall, it seems the roster is a bit full at the moment to take on a project like a GT-R. Ghosn also adds that it’s not an impossiblity, now is simply not the time.

An Infiniti version of the GT-R is something fans can, at least, dream about for the next decade or so.

Infiniti Essence Concept:

By: Alexandra Koken

Source: CAR

MINI has a rumor circulating that it has plans to introduce a new model to its lineup. Destined to be part of a showcase that exemplifies what the brand is capable of, the rumored is said to be called the MINI Traveller. Taking influence from the Spacebox/Progressive ACTIVITY MINI concept from 2009, the Traveller is designed to be a crossover and is all about practicality.

“If there is one phrase to describe the brief for the MINI Traveller then it is named the ‘swiss-army-knife’ MINI variant,” said a source for the rumor.

Size wise, the Traveller is pegged to be larger than the current Countryman but small enough to be considered a MINI and a compact. Its proportions are to be designed like a minivan, but with less of the characteristics of a van and more of a MINI.

It is also said that the Traveller will feature suicide-like doors, as part of the Traveller’s “access all areas” theme while also featuring doors that allow for easy loading and unloading of cargo.

However, no other details have been released, as this is a rumor. Whether BMW and MINI will choose to produce it is something that will be announced as time goes by.

- By: Chris Chin

Source: BMWBlog

We’ve been hearing about Bentley’s plans for an SUV since 2006 – nothing has happened since then and we’re not sure when it will. However, new reports suggest that Bentley’s CEO Wolfgang Durheimer is planning a SUV model that will compete with the likes of the Porsche Cayenne and the Range Rover.

Durheimer comments were made during an interview with Auto Motor und Sport.

Durheimer said that an SUV can do well in the brand’s largest markets including China, Europe and the United States.

When can we expect the Bentley SUV to hit the market? When we find out, we’ll let you know.

- By: Omar Rana

Source: Auto Motor und Sport