BMW to launch toned-down line of M Performance Automobiles

Filed under: Car Buying, Performance, Marketing/Advertising, Design/Style

We just wrapped up the Detroit Auto Show, but BMW has already moved on to Geneva. The German automaker announced today that it’s going to be showing a new line of what it’s calling “M Performance Automobiles” at the Geneva Motor Show in March.
These vehicles will sit between standard [...]

Renault will launch South Korea’s first mass-produced EV in 2013

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Asia

Renault SA will debut South Korea’s first mass-produced battery-electric vehicle when it starts selling an all-electric version of its SM3 to the public in 2013, the Korea Herald reported, citing an interview with Francois Provost, CEO of the company’s Renault Samsung division in South Korea.

Renault Samsung, which recently said it would start [...]

Nissan accelerates Leaf availibility in Chicago to launch this fall

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Nissan

On Thursday, Nissan America officials joined Governor Pat Quinn and the city of Chicago in announcing an accelerated Illinois rollout of the Leaf for this fall. Why the hurry up? Well, because the state of Illinois is ready, Leaf-ready.
Back in February, Governor Quinn announced an investment of $1 million to install a [...]

Fiat to launch 500 TwinAir, TwinAir Plus in UK this summer

Filed under: MPG, Fiat, Lightweight

Italian automaker Fiat will soon launch a trim range that gets its name from the company’s two-cylinder engine: the TwinAir. The TwinAir range – to be offered on three-door and convertible 500s – will hit the UK this summer with pricing expected to start at approximately £11,500 ($18,827 U.S. at the [...]

First Look: 2011 Toyota Highlander to launch at Moscow Motor Show next month

Filed under: Crossover, Toyota, Misc. Auto Shows, Russia, Design/Style

2011 Toyota Highlander – Click above to enlarge

Toyota Europe has confirmed to Autoblog that the automaker’s popular Highlander crossover will go on sale in Russia and the Ukraine for the first time ever. Why should Statesiders care? Because the new-look model above will be unveiled at the [...]

Report: GM to launch compact van in several markets… is it the Chevy Orlando?

Filed under: Concept Cars, Minivan/Van, Etc., Buick, Chevrolet, GM

2009 Chevrolet Orlando concept – Click above for high-res gallery

During a marathon presentation on Tuesday, General Motors Vice Chairman Tom Stephens showed off slides of a new family van based on the company’s compact car platform. The van and other vehicles were shown as part of the [...]

Paris plans to launch world’s largest electric car sharing program

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Green Daily, Europe/EU

Car sharing programs have steadily increased in popularity within the past few years and will likely see continued growth as we move forward. Paris hopes to cash in on some of the action by offering up the world’s largest electric car share fleet. Paris’ grand plan is an optimistic one, [...]

Report: Audi R4 to launch in 2013, slotted below the TT

Filed under: Concept Cars, Coupe, Performance, Audi

Audi e-tron Detroit Concept – Click above for high-res image gallery

Rumors have floating around for years that Audi has been planning to develop a small entry-level, mid-engine sports car, and Auto Motor und Sport is now claiming the so-called R4 will debut in 2013. The R4 is expected to [...]

Bollore and Pininfarina target fall 2010 launch for Bluecar EV

Filed under: EV/Plug-in

Pininfarina B0 concept, the basis for the Bluecar – Click above for high-res image gallery

The car that we first saw as the B0 concept a year ago at the Geneva Motor Show could be on the market by the fall of this year. The electric commuter car has been jointly developed by the [...]